MLB Player News

Bateman went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run during Toronto's 7-4 loss to Baltimore on Friday.

It was another disappointing loss for a Blue Jays team looking to sneak into the playoffs, but Bateman gave the home fans something to cheer for with a two-run homer in the ninth inning to make the score look more respectable. It was the first major-league home run of Bateman's career and only his seventh homer at any level since being selected by the Cubs in the eighth round of the 2023 MLB Draft. The 24-year-old outfielder has an .826 OPS with three steals, nine RBI and seven extra-base hits across 134 plate appearances this season.

Scherzer (2-8) took the loss against the Orioles on Friday, allowing six runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three across five innings.

Scherzer fell behind early by giving up a leadoff homer to Dylan Beavers in the first inning before allowing five more runs in the second. Scherzer kept the Orioles off the board over his final three innings, and while it wasn't the outing the veteran right-hander was hoping for, he was at least able complete five innings and preserve the Blue Jays' bullpen for the next couple of days. He's given up at least five earned runs five times this season and has a 6.38 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over 67.2 innings. He's lined up to face the Tigers at home next week.

Bednar earned the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Mets, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter across 1.2 innings.

Bednar was brought in for the eighth inning with the bases loaded, and he limited the damage to only one run on a Marcus Semien sacrifice fly. Bednar came back out for the ninth and gave up a leadoff homer to A.J. Ewing, the first long ball the former has allowed since July 28, but Bedner responded by getting the next three batters out to secure the save. He's up to 33 saves on the year, tied with Aroldis Chapman and Louis Varland for fifth-most in the majors, and Bednar has a 2.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 71:18 K:BB over 63.1 innings.

Rice went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored during Friday's 6-4 win over the Mets.

Rice crossed home in the first and second innings before belting a solo homer off Nolan McLean in the fifth to give the Yankees a 5-1 lead. Rice is up to 37 home runs on the season, which leads the Yankees and is tied with Hunter Goodman for sixth-most in the majors. Rice also ranks sixth in slugging percentage (.523) and 13th in RBI (89) across 608 plate appearances.

Bellinger went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run during the Yankees' 6-4 win over the Mets on Friday.

Bellinger gave the Yankees a 4-1 lead in the second inning after taking Nolan McLean deep to right-center field for a three-run homer. It was Bellinger's second long ball in three games and 14th of the year. The veteran outfielder is heating up at the plate at the right time for the Yankees and has gone 20-for-53 (.377) with two home runs, eight RBI and 12 runs scored over his last 13 games, recording at least one hit in 12 of those contests.

Rodon (6-3) earned the win against the Mets on Friday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out eight across 6.1 innings.

Friday's series opener was arguably Rodon's best outing of the season, with his eight strikeouts being his best of the year while working into the seventh inning. He induced 18 whiffs on 93 pitches (61 strikes), and the 32-year-old southpaw has given up one earned run in four of his five outings since being activated from the 15-day injured list Aug. 18. Rodon will take a 2.94 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over 70.1 innings into his next start, tentatively slated for next week on the road against the Twins.

Rodriguez (back) is expected to join Triple-A Durham for a rehab assignment Sunday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez has been on the injured list since Sept. 3 due to a lower-back strain. If all goes well on his assignment, the right-hander should return to Tampa Bay before the end of the season. He's unlikely to be a factor in fantasy leagues at this point but should bolster the playoff-bound Rays' bullpen during the postseason.

Greene went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Friday's 6-2 win over the Rockies.

Greene needed just his 20th home run of the season to record his first career cycle in the majors. Now that he's healthy following a few weeks on the injured list with a strained hamstring, the star outfielder is heating up at the plate. In nine games since returning, Greene is batting .361 with three home runs and 13 RBI, and he once again looks like Detroit's best offensive player.

Gasper went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during the Red Sox's 3-2 loss to the Royals on Friday.

Seth Lugo kept the Red Sox off the board through the first four innings of Friday's game, but Gasper changed things with a solo homer to right-center field in the fifth inning. It was the ninth homer of the season for Gasper, six of which have come at Fenway Park. Since being promoted from the minors in mid-August, he has gone 18-for-59 (.305) with 16 RBI and 13 extra-base hits.

Clark went 1-for-2 with a walk, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Rockies. He also stole a base.

Clark showed off his combination of power and speed by launching his third home run of the season and recording his fourth stolen base. It was the first time in his MLB career that the rookie has gone deep and swiped a base in the same game. Clark did plenty of both in the minors, so he should have many more performances like Friday as he settles in at the top level.